A new book examining demographic changes and alleged irregularities in Manipur’s census over five decades was released today, with speakers describing it as a timely contribution to the ongoing discourse on the state’s population dynamics ahead of the 2027 Census.
Titled “Memory, Manipulation and Migration: Understanding the Anomalies in Manipur’s Census, 1961–2011″, the book is authored by Dr. Michael Samjetsabam and published by the National Research Centre (NRC). The book was formally released by former Vice-Chancellor of Dhanamanjuri University (DMU), Prof. N. Rajmuhon Singh, at a function held at the NRC Auditorium, Canchipur.
The programme was presided over by Thongam Ajit, President of the National Research Centre, while noted demographer and biostatistician Prof. R.K. Narendra Singh attended as the guest of honour. The book was reviewed by Dr. Homen Thangjam, Associate Professor at Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (IGNTU).
Reviewing the publication, Dr. Homen described it as one of the most resourceful academic works on the subject, stating that it is backed by extensive research and provides valuable insights into demographic trends, migration patterns and census-related issues in Manipur. He said the book would serve as an important reference for researchers, policymakers and anyone interested in understanding the state’s demographic history.
Releasing the book, Prof. Rajmuhon Singh observed that the publication comes at a crucial time when discussions surrounding the Census, migration and demographic changes have gained renewed significance in Manipur. He said the book has the potential to enrich public debate by encouraging evidence-based discussions on issues that have far-reaching social and political implications.
Prof. R.K. Narendra Singh praised the depth of the research and described the work as a significant contribution to demographic studies. While appreciating the richness of its content, he expressed hope that future editions would be further refined to meet international academic publishing standards, enabling the work to reach a wider global audience.
Speaking on the occasion, author Dr. Michael Samjetsabam, Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy at Dhanamanjuri University, said the idea for the book emerged in the aftermath of the outbreak of ethnic violence in Manipur in 2023, when debates on migration, population changes and census data intensified among the Manipuri diaspora as well as academic circles.
He said the research took nearly three years to complete and involved extensive efforts to collect and verify historical census records and demographic data. Describing the task as challenging, Dr. Michael said accessing reliable information and consolidating data from different sources required considerable time and effort.
Although the manuscript could have been further expanded, he said he decided to publish it before the commencement of the upcoming Census exercise, considering its relevance to the present situation. He said the primary objective of the book is to draw attention to what he describes as anomalies and possible manipulation in past census exercises so that future enumerations are conducted with greater transparency, accuracy and public confidence.
The publication is expected to contribute to the ongoing discourse on demographic change, migration and census administration in Manipur at a time when preparations for the next national Census have assumed increasing significance.
